Life Options in search of pledges for expansion

GRANDVIEW - Eyeballing the need for a Life Options center in Sunnyside and an increase in abstinence awareness programs, Life Options board of directors and the organization's executive director, Jan McDonald, are currently seeking funds to make it all a go.

McDonald's already experienced a tremendous, successful response from Lower Valley ninth graders who have been given an abstinence presentation. In a letter she sent out to potential donors, she was sure to include what some freshmen had to say about the program, with a resounding theme being that they are grateful for what they've learned about consequences of premarital sex.

"We are so encouraged by these results and (their) desire to think against the current culture, this motivates us to touch more lives," she said in her letter.

The Life Options board wants to see an expansion of the abstinence program extended to 10 more area schools, which would potentially impact 3,500 students.

For that to happen in the 2008-09 school year, McDonald says $15,000 in funding is necessary.

Life Options is already eyeing a Life Options, Too facility in Sunnyside, which would make options available to men and women facing planned or unplanned pregnancy.

McDonald said the expansion would require three staff members, building space and technology, which would require $50,000.

Before expanding the ministry, she said Life Options would like to secure $25,000 in new funding for the Sunnyside locale.

McDonald said there are many ways to donate: it can be done by sending a check to the Life Options facility at 100 East Third Street in Grandview, or monthly ePledges by visiting www.partners.life-options.org.